Kwara Adorable Angels has emerged champions of the 2019 National Handball Division One League in Kaduna.
Kwara Adorable Angels defeated Benue Queens in the women’s final after an intensive 70 minutes of play. The game ended 31-31 after the regulation times which led to an additional 10 minutes; Benue Queens took the lead in the first half of the extra time but the Ilorin based team came back from behind in the second half to clinch the trophy despite all odds.
The Ilorin based time is winning its first senior trophy 7 years after lifting the U12 national handball girls’ championship hosted in Isanlu, Kogi state.
Kwara state handball chairman, Emmanuel Olubiyo told www.aclsports.com that it took the girls 3 years of intensive training before he could approve their attendance in any national championship.
Olubiyo expressed satisfaction over the girls’ performance at the just concluded National Handball Division One League.
Olubiyo revealed that he stopped some of the girls from participating at the 2018 Prudent Energy Handball League when some individuals wanted to poach on them.
He said, “Today, I am the most fulfilled man on earth because the girls did not only win the league but remained unbeaten. During the game, I was tensed and not comfortable during the final but to God took all the glory; we are taking the trophy to Kwara state. The journey started in 2010 when we selected some players and decided to groom them for three years.
“After much training, mentoring and sensitization, we decided to make our first appearance at the 2019 U12 National girls’ championship where we won gold, emerged the best goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player. This marked the beginning of our success story in Nigeria Handball”.
He further said, “The girls almost scattered at the 2018 Prudent Energy Handball League when some individuals convinced them to player for their teams but I stopped the move and advised them as a father to wait for the National Division One. I told them that if they go separate ways, they might not perform at the respective clubs but when they remain together, they will become unbeatable in the country”.
Olubiyo told www.aclsports.com that the only final the girls lost in their career is the 2017 National Youth Games in Ilorin.
He said, “I am always proud of these girls and I take them as my children. Since they started playing at various championships or competition, the only final they have lost was the 2017 National Youth Games. It was very painful but the girls have learnt from the loss and have become stronger”.
The sports philanthropist said, “The progress of the girls is growing at an exponential rate. Some of the girls have featured for Nigeria at the U18 national team and Muhinat Yusuf made her debut in the senior women’s national team and eventually went to the 2019 African Games. This has always been my dreams for all the players”.
Achievements of the Kwara Adorable Angels:
- Champion of the 2013 National U12 girls’ Championship in Isanlu, Kogi state
- Champion of the 2014 National U12 and 15 Championship hosted in Idah, Kogi state (Won the Best goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player and highest goal scorer)
- Champion of the 2016 North Central U17 Girls’ Championship hosted in Abuja
- Silver medal at the 2017 National Youth Games hosted in Ilorin, Kwara state
- Champion of the 2019 U-21 Handball championship host in Lagos (Awarded the best goalkeeper and the high goal scorer)
It is well with you team Kwara adorable angels,it believe with God all things are possible,it going be many year training to come back again, with All support from the state and others it going to be first hope, God bless Kwara adorable angels, God bless Kwara state, God bless Nigerian… ibukun 08062149118